Hysteria

Name: Hysteria
Genre: Comedy, Romance
Released: May 18, 2012
Duration: 100 min
Rating: 53
Cast: Felicity Jones, Hugh Dancy, Jonathan Pryce, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Rupert Everett

2012

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 33 Critics

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USER SCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 29 Ratings

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5.9

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5.9	Your Score
5.9	User Score Mixed or average reviews based on 29 Ratings

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HYSTERIA

Movie Details & Credits

Sony Pictures Classics | Release Date: May 18, 2012

Starring: Felicity Jones, Hugh Dancy, Jonathan Pryce, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Rupert Everett

Summary: Hysteria, a mischievously inspired romantic comedy set in the late 19th century, is based on the surprising truth of how Mortimer Granville came up with the world's first electromechanical vibrator in the name of medical science. The film stars Academy Award nominee Maggie Gyllenhaal and Hugh Dancy, alongside Jonathan Pryce, Rupert EverettHysteria, a mischievously inspired romantic comedy set in the late 19th century, is based on the surprising truth of how Mortimer Granville came up with the world's first electromechanical vibrator in the name of medical science. The film stars Academy Award nominee Maggie Gyllenhaal and Hugh Dancy, alongside Jonathan Pryce, Rupert Everett and Felicity Jones. (Sony Pictures Classics)… Expand

Director: Tanya Wexler

Genre(s): Comedy, Romance

Rating: R

Runtime: 100 min

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Critic Reviews

Entertainment Weekly - Lisa Schwarzbaum

May 16, 2012

Whenever Rupert Everett appears as a rich fellow who distinctly does not fancy ladies, it's a hysterical history lesson of the hilarious variety. Read full review

Chicago Sun-Times - Roger Ebert

May 23, 2012

The performances are spot on, and I especially like the spunky Gyllenhaal, who with this film and the underrated "Secretary" (2002), has built up a nice sideline in sexual exploration. Read full review

Movieline - Stephanie Zacharek

May 17, 2012

The picture is at least spirited, a jaunty trifle that's low on eroticism but high on cartoony coquettishness. Like the little motorized whatsit that is its subject, it does have its charms. Read full review

NPR - Jeannette Catsoulis

May 22, 2012

Hysteria, a disappointingly limp ode to the invention of the vibrator, plays like a Merchant Ivory Production of "Portnoy's Complaint." Read full review

Austin Chronicle - Kimberley Jones

Jun 13, 2012

Rather born to wear a frock coat, Dancy shares the stammer-blush, winning-grin methodology of countryman Hugh Grant, only with more probity and better posture. Read full review

Arizona Republic - Bill Goodykoontz

May 24, 2012

In fact, the problem with the film is that, despite an excellent cast that includes Maggie Gyllenhaal, Hugh Dancy and Rupert Everett, it doesn't really know what it is. A little of this, a little of that and by the time it's done, it adds up to not much at all. Read full review

The Globe and Mail (Toronto) - Kate Taylor

May 17, 2012

Unfortunately, Hysteria is much closer in its effects to a more significant and much larger 19th-century invention. Like the locomotive, this costume drama proceeds noisily and methodically toward a destination that is agreed upon from the outset. Good orgasms and good movies generally offer surprises; good trains do not. Read full review

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User Reviews

GreatMartin

Jun 11, 2012

Only the British could make a film about the invention of the vibrator and indicate women having orgasms without showing couples having sex or anyone being rude, or crude, using the â

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

MarcDoyle

May 20, 2012

Just a fun, fun film. Rupert Everett is fantastic in a small role - his chemistry with High Dancy is excellent. It's an interesting film about women and the development of the vibrator, but it makes larger statements about the eventual women's movement. My primary issue with the film isJust a fun, fun film. Rupert Everett is fantastic in a small role - his chemistry with High Dancy is excellent. It's an interesting film about women and the development of the vibrator, but it makes larger statements about the eventual women's movement. My primary issue with the film is that Maggie Gyllenhaal's character says things that a woman of her era obviously would not have. They took thoughts and statements of someone living 50 years later and stuck them in her head - which is fine, we can have a little artistic license now and then. It just felt forced and awkward here.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

BrianMcCritic

Apr 29, 2013

A well made and pretty funny movie. This is a movie I thought could be really cheesy but thankfully it hits more than it misses. I recommend you at least check this film out once.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

TVJerry

Jun 21, 2012

This fact-based film explores the birth of the vibrator. In the 1880s, women where often diagnosed with hysteria, which was treated by a doctor who masturbated them into contentment. After one popular young physician (Hugh Dancy) becomes immobilized by his overused hand, he stumbles upon theThis fact-based film explores the birth of the vibrator. In the 1880s, women where often diagnosed with hysteria, which was treated by a doctor who masturbated them into contentment. After one popular young physician (Hugh Dancy) becomes immobilized by his overused hand, he stumbles upon the beneficial invention. It's obvious how every aspect of this story will play out after the first 10 minutes. So it's all about the execution. The direction is genteel with typical British aplomb and the performances are enjoyable. The standout is Maggie Gyllenhaal as the socially-conscious troublemaker. Overall, it's a mildly amusing, but undistinguished history lesson.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

wrightm1

Jun 26, 2013

A true story about the invention of the vibrator. It's a period piece.

Had to get the pun in. This film was much more entertaining than I intended, and I enjoyed watching it. The film is very much light hearted, which I believe leads to it's downfall, as it can never achieve greatnessA true story about the invention of the vibrator. It's a period piece.

Had to get the pun in.

This film was much more entertaining than I intended, and I enjoyed watching it. The film is very much light hearted, which I believe leads to it's downfall, as it can never achieve greatness as it is too fluffy round the edges... I wanted some more depth... It needed to be longer.

OK... Enough innuendo.

Gyllenhaal is strong in the film, with a great British accent, and everyone is good, with Jonathon Pryce being present also which just makes it better.

It is no classic, but it is fun and entertaining because you feel the actors are having a good time also.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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